May 27, 2014

Water, Earth, Wind, and Sci-Fi: an interview with Suzanne Church, author of "Elements"

About ELEMENTS: Canadian SF author Suzanne Church's cast of unique characters ask "What if?" in this whimsical collection of science fiction, fantasy, and horror short fiction.

Androids, aliens, zombies, and humans - Church's unforgettable characters ponder upon such concepts as "Can humanity survive an ice age? Will the storm man steal Wanda's baby? When will Bob and Sebbee escape the relentless march of the Lost Circle? What is the cause of the taint in Faya's courted ice? If you can't escape hell, can you at least afford a trip on a teleporting couch?"

These are but a few of the mind-twisting tales found in ELEMENTS, Suzanne Church's first collection of science fiction, mythic fantasy, and festering horror short fiction and features a suitable tale for every temperament.

This collection includes 21 stories and an introduction by award winning author, editor, and poet, Sandra Kasturi.

(Info courtesy of Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy Publishing)

How
would you classify ELEMENTS? Horror, SF, Fantasy, Other? A mix?

ELEMENTS
is definitely a mix of Horror, SF, and Fantasy. From the first story,
"Coolies" which is an SF story with horrific aspects, the
stories blend the genres together.

I
suppose I'm more of a casserole writer than a meat-and-potatoes
author. At heart I'm a horror writer but I enjoy exploring dark ideas
with a broad speculative fiction lens.

Plus
I throw in some humour to provide the reader with lighthearted
breaks. The Couch Teleportation stories are a few examples of my
twisted idea of what it would be like to visit the armpits of the
galaxy.

Why did you choose a short fiction collection as your first
book-length project?

My
fiction has been published in some higher-profile locations as well
as some obscure anthologies and magazines that have passed into the
ether of publication. A collection of my short fiction allowed me the
opportunity to reach a broader audience of readers.

Tell us about your 52 Writing Tips project in 2012

Every
year I set Writing Goals during the first week of January, and one of
my recurring goals is to submit 52 times each year (either short
fiction, novel queries, poetry, etc).

For
the 2012 goals I decided to incorporate blogging as a way to increase
my online footprint. I used to be a high school teacher, so the
writing tips became a way to blend my writing skills with my teaching
skills.

To
appease the teacher in me, I included a bit of homework. That's why
at the end of each post I include the "Do It Now"
exercises. Thus the reader can immediately use what they've learned
in a practical way.

The
majority of the tips touch on the usual writing suspects like
beginnings, endings, dialogue, characters, editing, critiquing, etc.
However, I wanted to touch on EVERY topic for aspiring writers so I
also included posts on tax preparation, attending conventions, using
tracking spreadsheets and the like.

What exactly do you mean when you call yourself "fiercely
Canadian?"

Ha!
That's complicated.

First,
I've been known to apologize for a variety of missteps, some of which
don't actually require an apology. In other words, yes, I've actually
apologized to a parking meter for bumping into it. I am THAT
Canadian.

Second,
I love all the quintessentially Canadian clichés. I follow the
Toronto Maple Leafs (even though I know better) and I love hockey
with an irrationally intense passion. Even though I write at
Starbucks, I do plenty of writing (and eating and drinking) at Tim
Hortons. I can paddle a canoe, ice skate with hockey or figure
skates, and complain about the weather during any of the four
seasons.

Third,
I've spent much of my career attending workshops and conventions
outside of my home country (in the USA and Australia) and have
represented Canada to the best of my abilities. For that reason, my
internet name has been CanadianSuzanne since 2004, hence my twitter
handle @canadiansuzanne.

You've appeared at Chiaroscuro Reading Series (also known as
ChiSeries) in Toronto and are scheduled to appear again soon. What is
ChiSeries like?

I
love the ChiSeries reading nights. The atmosphere is so laid back,
and the readings are always entertaining. ChiZine Publications
certainly knows how to rock an event.

At
the Toronto readings, Kari Maaren usually keeps us entertained
between readings, playing her ukulele and singing songs so funny, you
might spit your drink out your nose.

Many
of those in attendance are local authors, so the ChiSeries readings
also provide a chance to catch up with colleagues and hear about the
latest writing news.

The
ChiSeries readings have expanded to Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Ottawa.
Although I've never been able to attend one of them, I've added the
events to my must-do list.

You're blogging about the evolution of each story in ELEMENTS.
Should readers be wary of spoilers? Or can they read the posts before
they read the collection?

I'm
very careful about spoilers so readers can read the posts before they
read the collection.

Even
though I reference the characters and settings, the content is mostly
about story evolution; an answer to "Where do you get your
ideas?"

Any
reader could peruse the posts safely without worry of
spoiler-trouble. On the other hand, the backstories that I tell would
certainly resonate more with the reader after they've digested the
story. Either way, it's a great place to learn more about the fiction
in ELEMENTS.

I
will continue to add more content over the next few months. Watch for
interviews with some of the characters in the stories, or brief
teaser-excerpts from the collection.

What's next for you?

​

I'm
always writing short fiction. I've got a fantasy short story on the
go right now, and I'm plotting out a novel that takes place in the
universe that I developed for "Destiny Lives in the Tattoo's
Needle."

Recently
I began a short story with hockey theme. Then I realised I'd need to
build a full roster for the team including coaching staff, a GM,
dedicated press, etc. So I have a feeling that the story will blossom
into a novel.